Saturday, February 21, 2015

Grace can best be described as a daredevil, an Army brat, and a rebel. She is also the only granddaughter of perhaps the most powerful ambassador in the world and Grace has spent every summer of her childhood running across the roofs of Embassy Row.

Now, at age sixteen, she's come back to stay - in order to solve the mystery of her mother's death. In the process, she uncovers an international conspiracy of unsettling proportions, and must choose her friends and watch her foes carefully if she and the world are to be saved.

GIVEAWAY

Hachette UK has been kind enough to offer 3 pieces of Miss Sporty make up for giveaway on this blog!

UK ONLY

Please keep in mind that items may vary from those shown in the picture

Thursday, January 15, 2015

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

A timeless love story, These Broken Stars sets into motion a sweeping science fiction series of companion novels. The Starbound Trilogy: Three worlds. Three love stories. One enemy.Source: Netgalley (Thanks Disney Hyperion!)My Thoughts:These Broken Stars was an enjoyable and gripping sci-fi YA that I read almost ages ago and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately I wasn't able to put what exactly I loved about it in words at that time because I was too busy fangirling over it.I am going to try my best to explain why you should read this book now.The first thing that caught my attention was the narrative structure of the book. It's told from a dual POV(point of view) of the main protagonists.Apart from this what makes the book stand out for me were the snippets from the future that were added at the end of almost every chapter. I really liked this. At first it was a little confusing but that might be because the review ARC that I had was not formatted well.There's a short snippet of Tarver being questioned by someone in the future at the end of the chapters and this really built up the suspense in the novel.The narrative hooked me in more than the characters.The snippets make you really curious.The main characters of this novel grow on you especially Lilac. She's not a stuck up princess (well not for the entirety of the novel) and she pulls her own weight. Tarver is a character that I really liked. This might have a lot to do with the fact that I just loved his voice and answers of the questions in the snippets but I really liked the guy's spunk and literary voice.The chemistry and the build up of the relationship between the two characters was very well done in the novel.The world building is great albeit confusing at first. I want to know more about this world that has been introduced and all the different technologies that have been introduced in them.The plot was interesting there is a very unexpected twist which I'm not very sure that I liked.I liked the build up towards the climax more than the actual climax. It was unpredictable but I think I expected the story to take a different route and I was a little disappointed.I got over the plot twist though because I was already invested.Overall, I will definitely be picking up the sequel.This is not a hardcore sc-fi novel but it has a good mix of sci-fi and teenage angst.The plot is interesting and the ending is satisfying.Definitely pick it up if you're looking for a new book.My Rating:

Thursday, October 16, 2014

So if you like my facebook page, you must have seen that I've been sharing Mockingjay part 1 stills and trailers.(It's so easy to share there) I decided it's time to post it on the blog as well. There was new teaser posted yesterday as well. So without further ado here's the new teaser:

The best part of this teaser is that it features the Lorde song that I am ADDICTED to .

In case you missed the first full trailer. Here it is:

My Take:

Catching Fire was amazing and I've been dying to see the next one. But so far not too impressed by the trailers apart from Jennifer (God, she can act!) . I kind of hated Mockingjay the book so I guess I should adjust my expectations. I'm in love with the soundtrack (well more like the song) they've released. Cannot wait to hear more. If you haven't check out the Catching Fire soundtrack, it's amazing!

Now onto the J.K. Rowling film front. The internet has exploded with the news that there's going to be a Harry Potter spin-off trilogy. I think the whole Harry Potter spin-off angle is a LITTLE misleading. It's set in the same universe but it's based on Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I went from

because I thought it was a HARRY potter spin off, to

when I saw it was a IN THE SAME universe story.

I'm sorry but the Harry Potter spin-off tag is a little misleading.

"The trilogy of films will be based on author J.K. Rowling’sFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and Harry Potter film director David Yates will likewise helm these new pictures. Rowling will pen the scripts for the films, based on her own stories. No word on casting or whether we can expect appearances by any Potter alums. The films will release in 2016, 2018, and 2020."-Forbes.com

I got a little bit more into the idea after I read this article which points out that this story takes place much before the Harry Potter series and that means DUMBLEDORE IS ALIVE!! If you put Dumbledore in the movie Rowling and you can just take my money!

I also have ridiculously exciting Captain America 3 news.

At first I thought it was just fanfiction but further investigation shows that there's a HUGE possibility that Robert Downey Jr. is going to be in A CAPTAIN AMERICA movie as the antagonist.

"Robert Downey Jr. is on the verge of signing on to “Captain America 3,” with Tony Stark’sIron Man set to play a key role in bringing theCivil Warstoryline from Marvel’s comicbooks to the bigscreen and trigger the start of a new phase of movies fromMarvel Studios.

The actor is in final negotiations to play the billionaire in the yet-to-be-titled third installment, that is slated to begin production in the Spring for a May 6, 2016, release, according to sources close to the discussions. Downey suits up as the superhero in next summer’s “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” as part of a previous deal that also calls for him to reprise the role in “The Avengers 3.”- Variety.com

I NEED THIS TO HAPPEN!! I'm a huge RDJ fan and him and Steve were awesome in the Avengers!

Mortal Instruments news: Mortal Instruments is being made into a TV series.

"“It actually makes sense to do (the novels) as a TV series,” Constantin film and TV headMartin Moszkowicz toldTHR. “There was so much from the book that we had to leave out of the Mortal Instruments film. In the series we'll be able to go deeper and explore this world in greater detail and depth.” The Mortal Instrumentsseries is part of a broader strategic shift at Constantin that will see the German-based company move into English-language television series. Moszkowicz said Constantin is looking at possible television adaptations of several of its English-language movie properties, including period serial killer dramaPerfume: The Story of a Murdererand theResident Evilsci-fi horror franchise."-Hollywoodreporter.com

Also I'm so excited for the Gone Girl Movie! I want to watch it so BADLY!!!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

When Ileni lost her magic, she lost everything: her place in society, her purpose in life, and the man she had expected to spend her life with. So when the Elders sent her to be magic tutor to a secret sect of assassins, she went willingly, even though the last two tutors had died under mysterious circumstances.

But beneath the assassins’ caves, Ileni will discover a new place and a new purpose… and a new and dangerous love. She will struggle to keep her lost magic a secret while teaching it to her deadly students, and to find out what happened to the two tutors who preceded her. But what she discovers will change not only her future, but the future of her people, the assassins… and possibly the entire world.

Source: Edelweiss( Thanks HarperCollins!)My Thoughts:This review has been sitting there in my draft pile for a very long time. I have a hard time writing reviews for books that I find unremarkable for no good reason,and this is one of those books.The premise of this book really drew me in. A cave in which only assassin's live in which a magician who has lost her magic is forced to go.Sounds pretty interesting and full of win,right? Unfortunately I wasn't impressed.There's nothing particularly wrong with this book but it was hard for me to finish it.I think my main problem with this book was that most of it was cliched and I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters.I liked the main character Ileni because she was so strong and smart but I didn't care about her enough to want to read about how her life was sad and full of so many problems.I wasn't impressed with the male 'hero' of the story as well. Sorin seemed to like Ileni for some reasons that are still not very clear to me.(It might have something to do with the fact that I'm not a huge fan of hers)The saving grace of the novel is the assassins and their world.I really enjoyed the boss of the assassin world(my words not the authors) and the whole world building and society structure.The murder mystery made me a little curious but I wasn't dying to figure it out.This story had so much potential. I think my expectations were too high.Overall, If you're really interested in reading about assassins I guess you could give this book a shot but I think I would just enjoy reading Poison Study again instead.At first, I was thinking of giving it a higher rating but I didn't love it and I'm not even that interested in reading the sequel, so ...My Rating:

Thursday, September 11, 2014

ELLIE spent the summer before seventh grade getting dropped by her best friend since forever. JACK spent it training in “The Cage” with his tough-as-nails brothers and hard-to-please dad. By the time middle school starts, they’re both ready for a change. And just as Jack’s thinking girls have it so easy, Ellie’s wishing she could be anyone but herself.

Then, BAM! They swap lives—and bodies!

Now Jack’s fending off mean girls at sleepover parties while Ellie’s reigning as the Prince of Thatcher Middle School. As their crazy weekend races on—and their feelings for each other grow—Ellie and Jack begin to realize that maybe the best way to learn how to be yourself is to spend a little time being someone else.

Source:Edelweiss (Thanks HarperCollins!)

My Thoughts:

It's been a long time since I've read middle school fiction. I was afraid that I had outgrown it and it wouldn't hold my attention.This book proved me wrong. This is such a nice and sweet novel that I wouldn't mind re-reading it.When I first read the synopsis it reminded me of the movie Freaky Friday . I really enjoyed that movie and if you did as well, I think you might like this book. Ellie and Jack are different, not just their gender but their personalities as well. It was such fun reading about how each of them dealt with the other's life. The issues of the characters might seem petty at times but I was having too much fun reading about the circumstances each managed to land themselves in.

I loved the fact that family doesn't suddenly disappear in the novel. Family is very important in this novel and it was nice to finally read a novel in which the parents didn't conveniently disappear.The ending was unexpected but I liked it. I liked it a lot. Overall, this was a feel good novel that was really funny in parts and I love these kinds of novels.My Rating:

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Well, technically, she eats their soul. But she totally promises to only go for people who deserve it. She’s special. It’s not her fault she enjoys it. She can’t help being a bad guy. Besides, what else can she do? Her mother was killed and it’s not like there are any other “soul-eaters” around to show her how to be different. That is, until the three men in suits show up.

They can do what she can do. They’re like her. Meda might finally have a chance to figure out what she is. The problem? They kind of want to kill her. Before they get the chance Meda is rescued by crusaders, members of an elite group dedicated to wiping out Meda’s kind. This is her chance! Play along with the “good guys” and she’ll finally figure out what, exactly, her ‘kind’ is.

Be careful what you wish for. Playing capture the flag with her mortal enemies, babysitting a teenage boy with a hero complex, and trying to keep one step ahead of a too-clever girl are bad enough. But the Hunger is gaining on her.

The more she learns, the worse it gets. And when Meda uncovers a shocking secret about her mother, her past, and her destiny… she may finally give into it.Source: Borrowed My Thoughts:I've been meaning to write this review for a long time, my only excuse is I was busy but I hear the sequel is already out so I thought I might as well write it now.I would like to start off with the fact that the cover is a LITTLE misleading. It gives off depressing vibes and is dark but the book is actually quite funny (the main character is very sarcastic).So don't judge the book by it's cover , this is not a creepy and scary book.I loved the main character,Meda . She's so snarky and sarcastic that I wish she was a real person and I could be friends with her.She keeps making such amazing pop culture references and I would read the sequel just to get inside her mind again.The secondary characters are fleshed out very well. Chi,Uri and Jo are characters that balance out Meda in a very nice way. Chi is like an adorable idiot that grows on you and the dynamic between Jo and Meda is something I loved.One of the things I loved about this novel is that there is no love triangle or even an annoying forced love angle. The focus is on Meda's inner turmoil and the story is not cluttered with romantic cliches.The story is interesting but nothing too out of the ordinary.The thing that makes this story stand out from other paranormal YA is the interesting and different main character. I think the hero of the story is the heroine and I would reread this book just for her. If the main character doesn't fascinate you, you might find the story to be a bit slow.My Rating:

Monday, June 23, 2014

Heiress. Debutant. Murderer. A new generation of heroines has arrived.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined for a life carefully planned around Edinburgh’s social events – right up until a faery killed her mother.

Now it’s the 1844 winter season and Aileana slaughters faeries in secret, in between the endless round of parties, tea and balls. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, she sheds her aristocratic facade every night to go hunting. She’s determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city’s many dark alleyways.

But the balance between high society and her private war is a delicate one, and as the fae infiltrate the ballroom and Aileana’s father returns home, she has decisions to make. How much is she willing to lose – and just how far will Aileana go for revenge?

Source: Edelweiss ( Thanks Chronicle Books!)

My Thoughts:

I've been dying to read this book since I read the author's hilarious "review" on Goodreads. I screamed for joy when my request was accepted in February but I stopped myself from reading because I knew it was out in May. So sorry for the delay because I nicely forgot what month it was out in. (In my defense, there is one edition which comes out in July)

The Falconer is a book I'm not sure how to rate because I enjoyed it but I wasn't addicted to it for some reason and I kept having a hard time getting back to it.

I'm going to do a slightly different review for this.

The Positives

World building:

I love the whole world that Elizabeth May introduces us to in this novel. It's a hybrid world that has elements of the Victorian era and is full of futuristic technology. It's a mix of fantasy, steampunk and still comes under the genre of young adult. Before starting this novel I wasn't too sure about the world it would be set in but the author combines things we know with futuristic ideas quite well. It's a creative world that is known as well as unknown at the same time.

Action:

This book is action packed. I loved the fact that there was a heroine that could really kick @$$ in the novel. There's lot of fighting and action in this book. Some of the negatives are nicely glossed over because you're too busy enjoying the action.

The weapons and the terminology :

Some of you might think this comes under world building but I love some of the innovative weapons that the protagonist invents in this. I also loved the terms that are used . Especially the one for fairies.

Unpredictable

The whole plot is pretty unpredictable especially the ending. The ending REALLY surprised me. It's a cliffhanger( which is little annoying) but in my opinion it was completely unexpected. The action was also unpredictable. Anything could happen at any time and I loved that!

Negatives

Relationships

- Relationship between Aileana and Kiaran

I just didn't buy it. He doesn't exactly treat her well. It's a really messed up relationship. It's hard to even comprehend why she tolerates him anymore let alone likes him. I just didn't understand it. I'm not saying that I didn't like Kiaran as an individual. He really fascinated me but I guess I didn't feel the spark between Aileana and Kiaran

- Relationship between Aileana and Gavin

I actually liked their friendship but then things escalate VERY quickly (trying to avoid spoilers) and it gets too weird. I was confused whether Gavin even likes her as a friend in the middle because their relationship is not defined well and just keeps changing. I felt sorry for Gavin and I really didn't like how his character is barely developed but still keeps turning up in important moments. I also didn't like Aileana's hot and cold whatever it is with him. One second she's all "He's my best friend."

Next moment she's almost forgotten about him.

It was also really weird how even though they meet each other after years and have NEVER fought together. The first time they team up they're like the Avenger's Black Widow and Hawkeye. (Atleast they had a lot of implied history together)

Instant Perfect TEAM synchronization

Holding my Interest/Originality

While I was reading the book I was thoroghly invested in it but for some reason once I stopped I didn't feel like going back to it.I think the reason for that could be that even though the concept of the book is different it is a hybrid of things I have read before.Like the world of faeries reminded me of the world introduced in the Fever series.

On the fence / Mixed feelings

Heroine

The protagonist is someone I really liked in the beginning because she wasn't helpless and was working towards a goal. As the story progressed I started liking her less and less. I love the complexity of the emotions that the character goes through. I even liked the fact that she is a grey character but for some reason I liked her more before I found out her complex backstory. The more we get to know about her past the more complex her character becomes and it does add more depth to her character but I guess I just liked her more when she was a killing machine.(I'm weird I guess) I also didn't like some of the decisions she made and how she treated some characters especially the male interests. So that is also one of the reasons why I didn't like her as much as the story progressed.

My Rating:

I have no idea how to rate this . I just don't know how to rate it. I guess on Amazon I will rate it as 4 but I just don't know . It's a good book but it didn't blow me away. If I had to I would give it a range of 3.5-4 stars.

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